Exterior Painting in Grants Pass
Exterior paint is your home’s first impression and its first line of defense against the elements. Here in Southern Oregon we experience some unique weather which can put the exterior of your home to the test. Prep, prep, prep…the key to a lasting exterior paint job starts with proper preparation. At Grants Pass Painting this is what that means:
- Pressure washing to remove all dirt, mildew, chalking, and surface contaminants.
- Scraping to remove all loose and peeling paint
- Priming all bare surfaces with the correct primer
- Caulking cracks, joints, and voids with a highly flexible sealant.
- Masking & protecting all surfaces that are not being painted.
- Selecting and applying a high quality exterior paint…always 100% acrylic.
What Do We Paint?
- Siding
- Trim
- Doors
- Metal Roofing
- Decks & Fences
- Porches & Patios
- …you name it!
If your exterior property is looking drab and underwhelming, a new coat of color could be just the solution to boost your curb appeal. An exterior paint job is essential to protecting one of your greatest assets and and can add significant market value to your Southern Oregon property. To get the ball rolling, reach us by phone or email today! Call us at (541) 955-8888 to get started.
Our Process in More Detail
Pressure Washing
- The key here is to get the paintable surface as clean as possible while not getting water where it shouldn’t. Contrary to common belief, we don’t pressure wash to remove paint. This not only makes a mess, but can also inject water deep into the surface. If this moisture is trapped under the paint film this can cause bubbles and blistering.
- We also make sure to avoid spraying directly around windows, doors, and other points where moisture could enter the home. If need be, we wash these areas by hand.
- We also avoid the use of chemicals as much as possible. If water alone will do the job then we leave it at that, but sometimes it is necessary to use a detergent or degreaser to properly clean the surface.
Scraping Loose Paint
- This is one of the most labor intensive, but most critical parts of prep. It’s usually pretty easy to spot large peeling areas, but it takes a trained eye to identify shallow blistering that hasn’t yet cracked and begun peeling. This is where we take our time and remove as much loose paint as possible before priming and painting.
- LEAD PAINT – If your house was built prior to 1978 it may have remnants of lead paint. These layers are often safely buried below multiple layers of newer paint until it comes time to scrape. Scraping can disturb these bases layers and requires special procedures to do so safely and legally. For more information, click here.
Priming…What About Paint & Primer In One?
- Think of Paint & Primer In One like a shampoo and conditioner in one or like a wash and wax in one…they sound great and in some cases can do the job, but most of the time there is no substitute for the right primer especially when it come to bare, glossy, or stained surfaces.
- Peel Bonding Primer – Each brand has their own name for this type of primer (Peel Stop, Peel Bond, Prime RX, etc.), but they all serve the same function. They are not a substitute for thorough scraping, no, but they are great for after the scraping has been done. Being heavy bodied, these products help soften the edges that can result from scraping. The high ratio of binder(glue) also helps resist further peeling in scraped or cracked areas.
- Slow Dry, Oil-Based Primer & Tannin Bleed – Have you ever seen discolored spots or streaks on painted wood…specifically the knots. It can look like a brownish coffee stain especially on a white or light color. This discoloration is called tannin bleed and is common with soft woods such as cedar, pine, or fir. Tannic acid is water soluble, so when it is painted with a water-based product(even a “stain blocking” primer), it soaks right through. An oil-based primer prevents this. Specifically, a slow-dry oil-based primer is best. Fast-dry oil and shellac primers are great stain blockers for interior, but are far too brittle for exterior and will crack & peel usually within 1-3 years. Slow-dry oil primers provide more long-term flexibility needed for an exterior.
Caulking & Sealing
- If it’s a gap too big for paint to fill, then it should be sealed with a highly flexible, high adhesion sealant. Caulking helps your paint job look the best, but it’s also very critical for weather proofing and pest proofing your home. And often the areas you can’t see are the most important on an exterior. The tops of door and window frames and the tops of belly boards take beating and often get forgotten despite being key entry points for moisture.
- There are also some areas that shouldn’t be caulked. The bottom of window frames and bottom edges of lap siding should be left alone. These areas allow breathability and allow moisture to safely escape. Caulking them can trap moisture and cause dry-rot issues.
- Due to the extreme temperature and humidity fluctuations of your exterior, a highly flexible elastomeric sealant should be used when caulking outside. This will prevent cracking and separating.
Masking & Surface Protection
- A great paint job is only great if the paint is where it’s supposed to be. We make sure we take our time during the masking process to do everything possible to avoid getting paint anywhere except where it’s intended to go. We also take care when protecting plants and use light-weight, breathable drop cloths as necessary.
- Unfortunately masking is one of the most trash generating aspects of the work we do, so we are always looking for ways to reduce that waste without compromising results.
Paint & Application
- The Paint – Although the cost of paint has gone up significantly in recent years it is still relatively inexpensive in relation to the labor that goes into a paint job. Here, we never compromise. We always use at the very least a 100% acrylic paint. Exterior paints made with a vinyl-acrylic blend are cheaper, but the vinyl chalks, fades, and breaks down far quicker than a 100% acrylic.
- Spray VS. Brush & Roll – There are those that live and die by the brush and roll application of paint and there are those that are the same way about spraying. What we’ve found is that there is a time and place for both and we use a combination of both methods to accomplish the best results. For flat, smooth surfaces, spray application leaves a more even, uniform coat and the smoothest finish. For rough, porous surfaces, back-rolling or brush & roll application is needed to push the paint into the surface and fill it properly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to paint a house?
An average full interior or exterior house painting service takes about 3 to 5 days. This varies on the size of the home and the extent of the scope of work.
Can You Use Water-Based Paint Over A Surface That Was Previously Painted With Oil?
Yes, but it requires proper preparation and the correct primer. Oil based enamels or varnishes are hard and slick, requiring sanding and/or adhesion primer for water-based paints to adhere properly. Exterior Oil-based penetrating stains must be primed with slow-dry oil-based primer before painting with a water-based product. There are also a couple other exceptions when it comes to this process, so it is best to talk to us directly or to a trusted, knowledgeable paint supplier.
Do 2-in-1 Paint and Primer Products Work?
The short answer is yes and no. In some cases a 2-in-1 paint and primer may work great, but in some cases there is no substitute for the correct primer.
Ready to Get Started?
If you have a project on the horizon, we invite you to contact us today. With an unwavering commitment to customer care and satisfaction, we’re proud to have become one of the most trusted local painting companies in Grants Pass and Southern Oregon. We look forward to sharing our expertise with you.